Modern Day Samaritan Woman

Family Defenses

I haven’t been here for a while. Life got too busy and although I never stopped writing in my heart and note books, I haven’t had the time to sit and type something for my blog; however the following has been on my mind for some time so I am making the time to share because this is very important.

Have you noticed that the family unit is being attacked with an intensity never seen before and it begins with simple complacency? 

The strategy employed by the enemy is so transparent and simple, yet we miss it. Perhaps the very reason we miss it is the simplicity of it all.

Enemy strategy:

The father sees that all is good in his family and lets his guard down gradually. Slowly and without much fanfare attacks come in the form of finance, minor irritations, disobedience from children, extended family interference, etc., and each one creates a small hairline fracture in the family structure.

When the pressure starts to mount the enemy then goes for the father, because he knows if he can take out the family "strongman and authority figure", the rest of the family will be easy pickings. So brother, your family depends on you standing up, putting on your "armour" again and fighting for your family in prayer on your knees and running your family with the godly principles as taught in the Word.                                                             

Defence:

Ephesians 6 : 11 – 18 “¹¹ Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

¹² For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

¹³ Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

¹⁴ Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

¹⁵ And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

¹⁶ Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

¹⁸ Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

Once the enemy has taken out the father or weakened him, he then targets the mother in the family who is usually very preoccupied with her home and her children’s education and after school activities, as well as working outside of the home (in most cases). The enemy then simply wears her down with too much to do so she neglects to pray for her husband and cover him.

Sisters, you are your husband’s helper and for your families sake you have to stand in and pray for him, as he faces the pressures from without the home, as well as those within because with each onslaught from the enemy those hairline fractures become huge cracks....

Your children will be next in the line of attack...This is YOUR family...You built it from scratch. Don’t allow the enemy to bring it to ruin.

Brothers in Christ, with each prayer you are symbolically re-plastering your families stronghold. Each prayer closes and seals those tiny hairline fractures before they become cracks.

Sisters in Christ, when you see your husband go on his knees to pray for guidance, join him. There is mighty power in joint intercession for your family. When your children see your example they will not only be covered in the Blood of Jesus and strengthened but will know how to face their own struggles now and in the future when they have homes of their own....

The enemy knows that if he can take out the family unit, he can take out the community and from there the city....

This can all be nipped in the bud if each family resists him and closes their own breeches... 

Nehemiah 1: 5 - 11 "⁵ And I said: “I pray, Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments, ⁶ please let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open, that You may hear the prayer of Your servant which I pray before You now, day and night, for the children of Israel Your servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel which we have sinned against You. Both my father’s house and I have sinned. ⁷ We have acted very corruptly against You, and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, nor the ordinances which You commanded Your servant Moses. ⁸ Remember, I pray, the word that You commanded Your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations; ⁹ but if you return to Me, and keep My commandments and do them, though some of you were cast out to the farthest part of the heavens, yet I will gather them from there, and bring them to the place which I have chosen as a dwelling for My name.’ ¹⁰ Now these are Your servants and Your people, whom You have redeemed by Your great power, and by Your strong hand. ¹¹ O Lord, I pray, please let Your ear be attentive to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your servants who desire to fear Your name; and let Your servant prosper this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.”

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte

A Test in Obedience – 31 Days

Head Covering / Prayer Room / Facing Giants

Day 8 : FIERY DARTS/ RAGE/ HELPLESSNESS

Click Here to start at the beginning

The deeper I press into this challenge the more difficult it appears to be. Apart from my own natural resistance and lethargy at the end of the day, I find that distractions come from unexpected places. These distractions (attacks) seem to come randomly and no matter how peaceful and calm my attitude is they still tend to throw me off my intended course.

Day 8 was just such a day. I arrived home after work in a pleasant mood, only to find my pocket sized Chihuahua (Griffon) running around outside. This is something I NEVER EVER RISK, as he is very tiny and we live on a small holding with all sorts of huge dogs, as well as horses, sheep and donkeys. There are just too many risks involved and I always keep him locked indoors and only take him out when I am present to protect him. Apart from the dangers from other animals, there is the added risk of him departing from the premises altogether, as he is small enough to fit through the perimeter fencing, and becoming lost or worse stolen.

I can hardly describe in words how angry I became at finding him outside. I became even angrier when I enquired as to how and why he was outside and the responsible person was indifferent with a “couldn’t care less” attitude.

The confrontation that followed was ugly leading to a personal assault on my status as the woman of the house. The implication being that as the third (3^rd) wife my opinion hardly matters, as I won’t be around long enough anyway. Needless to say that by the time I had calmed down long enough to go into my time of prayer, I couldn’t concentrate or stop the voices in my head. I kept imagining all the possible scenarios of what could have happened.

Griffey could have gotten lost, or stolen, or killed, or torn apart by the large dogs, and/or trampled underfoot by the horses and donkeys. The imagined pain that any of the above possibilities would have brought was tangible, bringing with it feelings of helplessness. I had left him safe in my bedroom behind a closed door, when I departed that morning. How long was he outside and how often had this happened before? How can I prevent this happening again? How can I protect my beloved Griffey, in this house of indifference? Is my own bedroom not even sacred and private?

I mention this lengthy personal issue only to demonstrate how devious the enemy of our souls is. Of all the possible problems that could have occurred on that day, this one was not something I had ever imagined occurring; therefore I was totally unprepared for it. It came from nowhere, and escalated to a personal attack on my status as woman of the house. All women know that this is scared turf…My status as wife is a serious matter for me. My care of my home and family, as well as my intercession for my family is all closely intertwined into my personality. The enemy knows this and fired his deadly, fiery darts exactly to the core (of my being) disabling me and short circuiting any effective prayer for that evening.

I never the less am committed to the challenge so I put on my head covering, which incidentally is becoming as beloved to me as my bible. I love the texture of the fabric against my skin, and I love the feeling of femininity and modesty that has developed when I wear it. Whether or not it is necessary or not, it is now a part of my prayer routine…

That night I was led by Holy Spirit to understand that my battle is not against flesh and blood and that with each new level…there will be new devils…and distractions.

 My responsibility is to focus wholeheartedly on that which truly matters.

Nehemiah 6: 2 - 3 says “ I knew they were scheming to hurt me so I sent messengers back with this: “I’m doing a great work; I can’t come down. 

Why should the work come to a standstill just so I can come down to see you?”

The Message (Emphasis my own)

Nehemiah’s enemies sent him five (5) messages, one after the other, to distract him from his purpose of rebuilding the wall and each time he denied them. He understood and recognised what was happening and wouldn’t allow the distractions to prevent the wall being completed.

Nehemiah 6: 9 says “They were trying to intimidate us into quitting. They thought, “They’ll give up; they’ll never finish it.” 

I prayed, “Give me strength.” 

The Message (Emphasis my own)

Spiritual Lesson :

I need to understand that my battle is not against flesh and blood and that I need to apply the Armour of God, daily in this struggle and in this challenge.

I do not know what lies in the balance. 

I do not know what the distractions cost me and / or my loved ones in the unseen realm. In order to effectively pray, press into my purpose to worship God as He deserves and simultaneously stand in the gap for my loved ones, I need to discern between the distractions and ward them off.

Physical Lesson :

The prayer shawl is now a constant companion. I enjoy wearing it and look forward to acquiring more of them. The prayer shawl is mentioned in several articles that I have read, as being symbolic of Gods Order…and in wearing it, I am certainly aware of my gender in ways I have never considered before. I also particularly like the thought that in wearing my prayer shawl, I am displaying to the unseen realm that I am voluntarily submitting to God.

 Prayer:

Father, this is a very real battle and there are just too many pressures and distractions to foresee and ward of. Please guide us and help us to effectually resist the devil and his distractions. Help us to press into You and find Your Will for us.

In Jesus Name we pray…Amen!!!

*Hugs* till next time.

Ariéte